Veteran video game designer Warren Spector has confirmed his retirement from game development, announcing in a LinkedIn post that although he has previously changed his mind about stepping away, this time he is "pretty sure" he means it. Spector is best known for creating Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey, and for his work on series including Wing Commander, Ultima and System Shock, making him one of the most influential figures in video game design over the past four decades. He said the industry had changed and was no longer "as much fun" for him, adding that it was time to let a new generation of developers take the spotlight, though he did not entirely rule out a future return.

Spector is a month away from marking 44 years as a developer, having worked on 17 full games and roughly nine expansion packs, some of which are still played 15 to 30 years later. He cited age and health as factors in his decision and said he now plans to write, read, lecture and possibly consult, while admitting he still has three unmade game ideas he would like to pursue one day. The news follows recent announcements of Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed for Switch 2 this October and last year's confirmation of a Deus Ex remaster for Switch.